Week 2 - South Florida at Nevada

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction - South Florida at Nevada

South Florida (1-0) at Nevada (1-0) Sept. 8, 3:30, CBS Sports Network

Here’s The Deal: In one of the more interesting, under-the-radar games of Week 2, South Florida makes the long trip to Nevada for the first meeting between these two schools. The Wolf Pack produced one of the notable moments of the opening weekend, stunning Cal in Berkeley, 31-24. With a second opportunity to play a school from an AQ conference, this time at Mackay Stadium, Nevada can turn a 2-0 start into the driver’s seat of the BCS buster bus. South Florida opened its season by defeating Chattanooga, but wasn’t all that impressive in doing so. The Bulls were especially erratic with the ball, a troubling start for a program angling to rebound from last year’s disappointing 5-7 campaign. This is the type of fork-in-the-road game that could dictate the 2012 direction for both schools.

Why South Florida Might Win: Cal couldn’t stop Nevada’s Pistol offense, but the Bulls believe they have the stalwarts and speed on defense to slow the attack down. South Florida is especially tough in the front seven, and will press the Pack O-line with DE Ryne Giddins and linebackers DeDe Lattimore and Sam Barrington. While the Nevada D did a surprisingly nice job, holding a Pac-12 team to 365 total yards, it can’t gloss over a unit that’s rebuilding on the front seven. It’s incumbent upon QB B.J. Daniels to maximize his dual-threat ability, while tapping into an underrated collection of receivers.

Why Nevada Might Win: As the South Florida offense stumbled versus Chattanooga, the Pack attack was clicking in the face of a quality Cal defense. QB Cody Fajardo is an ideal fit for Chris Ault’s system, improving as a passer, yet maintaining his explosiveness as a runner. His anonymity isn’t going to last much longer. The sophomore will be well-supported by a terrific ensemble of blockers and improving skill position players. Stefphon Jefferson erupted as the new feature back in the opener, running for 145 yards and three scores on 34 carries. And WR Brandon Wimberly caught seven passes for 83 yards in his return from last year’s gunshot wound to the abdomen.

What To Watch Out For: The Pack is putting out APBs for pass rushers. It may have found what it’s looking for in DE Brock Hekking. The sophomore, along with his linemates, played shockingly well against the Cal front, a trend the team hopes to continue in Week 2. If Nevada winds up being better than anticipated at the point of attack, it will not only handle South Florida in Reno, but also evolve into a very tough out throughout the season.

What Will Happen: Mackay Stadium was going to be juiced for the 2012 home opener no matter what. Now that the home team has already disposed of Cal, the electricity in the stadium will be palpable. Nevada comes in hot. South Florida? Not so much. The Bulls look as if they’re repeating many of the same mistakes they made a year ago. The offense has too many misfires, and the defense won’t have enough time to prep for the Pistol. Prolific days from Fajardo and Jefferson will move the Pack into the Top 25 and into the early discussion for a possible at-large BCS bowl berth.

CFN Prediction: Nevada 30 … South Florida 23
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Nevada -1.5 O/U: 55
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 2.5